Automatic fire extinguisher



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AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUISHER Filed Aug. 22. 1928 In vs n for:

Mara e Col/Zen 6am Dminyet struction of anapparatus according to the Patented Sept. 8, 1 931 UNITED STATES MARIE COUTEN, BORN DOMINGET, OF VINCENNES, FRANCE AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGU'ISHER Application filed August 22, 1928, Serial No. 301,376, and in Belgium October 13, 1927.

The present invention relates to an apparatus which may be mounted in the premises to be protected, and which causes an automatic discharge of Water when a fire breaks out and the temperature'thus rises to a high point.

The said apparatus comprises a water conduit supplied, with various discharge nozzles, which conduit is normally closed by a light diaphragm supported by a valve. The said valve is connected directly or by a lever to a suitableelement such as a glass rod similar to a thermometer containing a column of mercury, or a fusible part, which will break at high temperatures, thus opening'the valve and breaking the diaphragm, thereby enabling an abundant discharge of water through the said nozzles.

The appended drawings show by way of example, in vertical section, two forms of conpresent invention. Y

I In the form of construction shown in Fig. 1, the apparatus comprises a conduit 1 connected to a waterpipe; to which conduit is secured a hollow metal ball 2 pierced with a certain number of apertu'resin which are mounted, preferably by being screwed thereinto, thenozzles 3 for the discharge of water.

According to the present invention, I provide between the water conduit 1 and the ball 2,, a thindiaphragm 11 of lead or the like which, in normal" operation, is supportedby a Valve disc 4 whose stem 5'extends freely through an aperture 9 in the said ball and rests upon an element so constructed as to break at high temperatures.

The said element may consist of a mercurycontaining glass rod 6 as shown, and for greater safety, I further provide a plate or block of fusible metal I which supports the thermometer and is laterally guided in the slots formed in a depending strap or yoke 8 secured to the ball 2. A screw 10 passing through the bottom of the yoke and bearing against the block 7 serves to regulate accurately the position of said block and the parts supported thereby.

The operation is as follows:

Should a fire break out, the temperaturevice may be attached by means of fusible will rise, and the rod 6 will break or the block 7 will melt.

In either case, the valve 4 is released, and will fall. Under the pressure of the water, the diaphragm 11 is broken,-and the water will be discharged through the nozzles 3, thus extinguishing the fire at the start.

The said apparatus is of substantial construction and is reliable in operation. It may be small and inconspicuousand will not mar the appearance of the premises to be thus protected.

For installations oflarger size, in order that the glass rod 6 may not be subjected normally to excessive stresses due to the pressure of the water upon a large surface, I may place between the said valve and the roda lever whose long arm is adjacent the said. rod.

An apparatus of this character is shown in Fig. 2. I

In this construction, the valve 4, .above which is the diaphragm 11, and which traverses the ball 2, as in the preceding case, is secured to a lever 12 pivoted at 13 to a support and downwardly urgedby the weight 14. The said lever is attached by an adjustable connecting member 17 consisting, for example, of a turn-buckle, to the rod 6 which may, for. instance, be attached to the ceiling.

To provide for additional safety, the demembers 18 disposed between the cross-pieces 15 and 16.

When the temperature rises, the rod 6, or one of the fusible parts 18, will break, and by the action of the weight 14 the lever 12 will fall. drawing with it the valve 4. In order to insure the breaking of said diaphragm in a reliable manner, I prefer to definitely fasten it atits center to the center of the valve by means of a small nickel or other wire 4'.

Obviously, the invention is not limited to the forms of construction herein described, and the apparatus is susceptible of all suitable modifications in detail according to the use to be made of the same. For instance, the said valve may be controlled by any suitable means adapted to break at a high temperature. I employ the glass rod togethem 00 with a fusible element in the apparatus herein represented for obtaining a twofold security, but a single one of such devices can be used for this purpose if desired. Further, the water nozzles may be employed in any suitable number, and may have various inclinations, so as to discharge the water in a substantially uniform manner.

The movement of the lever 12, during thev head for sustaining the frangible element against breakage by the pressure of the liquid against it, said frangible element being incapable by itself of withstanding said pres- .sure; and means associated with said valve for normally holding it in active position, said valve-holding means embodying a'frangible element other than the one clamped between the conduit and hollow body and which will be ruptured at a predetermined high temperature, and also embodying a fusible body.

2. In an automatic fire-extinguisher, a hollow body having one or more nozzles to discharge liquid therefrom; a conduit attached to said body to-supply liquid to its interior; a frangible element clamped between said conduit and body and normally closing communication between them; a valve having a head for sustaining the frangible element against breakage by the pressure of the liquid against it, said frangible element being incapable by itself of withstanding said pres sure; andmeans associated with said valve for normally holding it in active position, said valve-holding means embodying a franible element other than the one clamped between the conduit and hollow body and also said valve-holding means embodying a fran- I means additionally embodies a weighted lever pivoted to the hollow body and to which thevalve is pivotally connected, said lever being held against swinging movement under the influence of its weight by the frangible element other than the one which is clamped between'the liquid supply conduit and the hollow body. Y

5. In an automatic fire-extinguisher, a hollow body having one or more nozzles to discharge liquid therefrom; a conduit attached to said body to supply liquid to its interior; a frangible element clamped between said conduit and body andnormally closing communication between them; a valve having a head for sustaining the frangible elemei;

against breakage by the pressure of the liquid against it, said frangible element being incapable by itself of withstanding said pressure; a member positively fastening the frangible element at its center tothe center of the valve head; and means associated with said valve norm ally tendingto move the valve away from the frangible element, said means being capable of being destroyed by heat; whereby on destruction of the said means the valve will separate from the frangible element, thereby breaking the latter and permitting the operation of the valve.

6. An automatic fire-extinguisher according to claim 5, in which the valve-holding means embodies aweighted lever pivoted to the hollow body and to which the valve is pivotally connected, said lever normally tend- 'ing to move the valve away from the frangible element, said fastening member insuring breakage of the frangible element when sa1d lever swings downward under the influence of its weight. s

In testimony whereof Iafiix my signature.

MARIE COUTEN, BORN DOMINGET.

embodying a member which is rendered in-' r operatlve on a predetermmed increase in temperature.

3. In an automatic fire-extinguisher, a hollow body having one or more nozzles to discharge liquid therefrom; a conduit attached to said body to supply liquid to its interior;

a frangible element clamped betwecn said.

conduit and body and normally closing communication between them; a valve having a head for sustaining the frangible element against breakage by the pressure of the liquid 3 against it, said frangible element being incapable by itself of withstanding said pressure; and means associated "with said valve for normally holding it in active position, 

